Rumours are mounting that a Greek syndicated bond issue is to be launched within days. This is an important event as the success or failure of such issuance will determine whether the Greeks have to go cap in hand to the European Commission or not.

The global financial crisis has brought the IMF, the World Bank and other International Financial Institutions (IFI’s) back to the spotlights. With large emergency loan packages, they have helped countries to deal with the severe economic shocks.

Dutch households withdrew €1.2 billion from savings accounts in October and November 2009. Does this mean that consumers are ready to increase spending? Or is this money merely meant to cover income losses?

The negative spiral afflicting the housing market for some time appears to be
broken, and the housing market is stabilising. After a sharp decline in
transactions from autumn 2008, the past half year has shown signs of a slight
rebound.

Hungary struggled through the financial and economic crisis in 2009. The economy shrunk by 7% and there was little room for fiscal stimulus as Hungary had to adhere to the conditions of the IMF attached to the aid package.

Similar to other Eastern European countries, the financial crisis hit Bulgaria mainly through a drop in export demand, tighter credit facilities and general risk aversion against the region. The economy shrunk by 5% in 2009.

One of the strongest earthquakes to ever hit Chile occurred on 27 February 2010. The country’s infrastructure sustained massive damage and the death toll is currently estimated around 600. As a result of the earthquake, economic activity will be subdued in the short term.

Since the return to democracy in 1990, the center-left oriented coalition, the
Concertación, had won every presidential election. In fact, Piñera is the first right-wing candidate to win a democratic presidential election since Jorge Allisandri Rodríguez won the presidency in 1958.